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"What's that?""Shh! It's Gordon!""It looks like Gordon, but it can't be. Gordon never comes on the branch line, he thinks them vulgar!""If it isn't Gordon, it's just a pile of old iron.""Which we better take to the scrapyard!""No Bill, this lot's useless for scrap! We'll take it to the harbour and dump it in the sea!""I am Gordon! Stop, stop!"

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Contents

Plot

Thomas and Edward's branch lines are very important to the railway. But their tracks and bridges are not as strong as those on the main line, so Sir Topham Hatt does not allow the larger engines to run on them. Although this is purely for safety, Gordon believes the rule is for another reason entirely.

One day, he complains to Edward about BoCo being allowed to take main line trains when he is only supposed to work on the branch line. Edward jokingly suggests that Gordon ask if he can take BoCo's freight cars in return, but Gordon refuses to consider the idea. Edward notes that it might be a nice change of pace, but Gordon claims Sir Topham Hatt would never agree and states that branch lines are vulgar before snorting off, followed by an amused Edward.

Every evening, both Gordon and Edward take late-night trains. Gordon takes the express along the main line, while Edward leaves five minutes later with a branch line train. Normally everything runs fine, but that evening there is trouble when a lady with a large green floppy hat says goodbye to a friend on the platform. When it is nearly time for Gordon to start, his fireman looks back and, seeing something large and green waving, assumes the guard is waving the flag, even though it was the lady with her green hat moving. As a result, Gordon leaves with the majority of the passengers, the luggage, and the guard stranded on the platform. Everyone is surprised and get very angry.

Eventually Gordon, who is feeling embarrassed, is stopped and brought back. But by now Edward is late, so he sets off first instead. This causes more trouble, as the signalman at the junction is not told about the change and sends Edward down the main line. When Gordon follows, he is sent down the branch and ends the evening by being forced to sleep in a siding near the harbor.

The next morning, Bill and Ben arrive to pick up freight cars from BoCo. While neither BoCo nor the freight cars are there, they do not mind as they much prefer the idea of teasing Gordon. After joking that the large blue engine near them cannot be Gordon, as Gordon would never go on branch lines as he thinks them vulgar, they pretend to consider throwing the pile of old iron into the sea. Gordon, not knowing it is a joke, starts to panic.

BoCo then arrives and Gordon begs the diesel to save him. BoCo soon realizes what is happening and threatens to take the freight cars away. Bill and Ben quickly run off, as a relieved Gordon thanks BoCo. To this day Gordon, not knowing the twins were teasing, still believes that BoCo saved his life.